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Top 12 Innovation Trends for 2017: NTT DATA Technology Foresight 2017

For decades researchers have worked to understand, and predict the impact technology will have on society. In fact, it’s become difficult to distinguish what trend maps to what advance. Is technology driving society? Or is society driving technology? That’s why NTT DATA has compiled four societal trends that are inter-related with eight technology trends. Take a look at this year’s findings, summarized below:

The digital world is a material part of our daily lives. Fast-paced businesses are developing incremental value via the Internet. Also, participative collaborations are revolutionizing workplaces and societies, creating a workforce of the future. As information advances, societal restrictions are overcome, and the very structure of society is transformed.

The power of the individual

The growing influence of individuals and startup businesses are transforming established systems in societies and industries. This individuality is encouraging businesses to restructure, increasing choices for consumers, and enabling society to become more flexible.

Decentralized Collaboration

Dynamic, digital ecosystems will emerge in which constituents will interact collaboratively over decentralized networks. This open exchange of information and resources will revolutionize both workplaces and societies.

Ever-Evolving Things

Data analytics will fuel innovation. Products will become ever-evolving things, continuously improving functionality and performance. This advancement will boost customer value and promote the transformation of business models.

Physical-Digital Convergence

The physical/digital convergence will broaden in scope, increasing the flexible and effective use of technology. This convergence will create new value as limitations in time, space, and ability are removed.

NTT DATA Technology Foresight 2017’s eight technology trends.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is identified as a central technology that has become increasingly important. Three topics related to AI are covered within the research: conversational computing, robotics, and precision life sciences. Second, synthetic reality, a technology that is transforming the interface between humans and systems, is discussed. Third, the advancement of IT infrastructures and cyber security are included as important trends. Lastly, experience design innovation has also been added as a technology trend.

Pervasive Artificial Intelligence

Widely accessible advanced machine learning will result in expanded use of AI (Artificial Intelligence). AI will improve convenience, resolve intellectual labor shortages, and drastically advance science. Mastery of AI will become a critical component of competitiveness.

Advancements in perception technology for images and voice are enabling robots to acquire enhanced environmental awareness, providing opportunities to exploit its use within products, such as self-driving cars and drones. These higher-level operational capabilities will transform the industrial structure.

Precision Life Science

DNA analysis, biosensors, and EHR continuously generate data related to individuals, accelerating the field of data-driven life sciences and enabling root cause analysis of genetics, personal habits, and environmental factors to aid in the treatment and preventive care of individuals.

Synthetic Reality

With the rapid evolution and diffusion of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices, the digital and real worlds are being further integrated and expanded. Human perception will become synthesized within new 3D spaces, allowing the sharing of knowledge and distributed experiences.

Security for the IoT Era

IoT devices have enhanced value by collecting more detailed and broader information, but have increased the risks from data breaches and large-scale cyber-attacks. While value associated with utilization is realized, it is now necessary to change the way we treat and protect data.

Heterogeneity in IT Infrastructures

New infrastructure is needed to supply the massive computing performance required for AI and IoT — for both general use and specific purposes. Cloud services will rapidly enable such future flexible infrastructure.

Experience Design Innovation

Development of the API economy and UX design are simplifying the creation and continuous evolution of innovative services. Propagation of IoT will drastically change interactions between human and systems resulting in more natural and freer user experiences.